The key features of a magazine cover

As previously discussed and to use as a reminder - Ensure you are able to identify the following when analysing music magazine and also when constructing your own magazine.

The features of a magazine cover

Masthead:                         The name of the newspaper or magazine.

Skyline:                                This is at the very top of the page and gives information about what the magazine has to offer i.e. free posters / competitions.

Slogan:                                 The words associated with the magazine or product the magazine is advertising i.e. ‘Because you’re worth it’

Anchorage Text:               This is the writing that is next to the main picture so it tells you what the main picture is about.

Price:                                     This is usually hidden in a corner if the magazine is expensive or written in large writing if the magazine is cheap.

Main Image:                       This is the big picture in the middle of the page or there may be lots of different pictures however there is usually one bigger than the rest. This is the main image.

Bar code:                             This is so the magazine can be scanned at the checkout till, the barcode is usually in the corner.

Sell Lines:                            These are the writing down the sides or along the bottom of the front page, this gives information about the other articles inside the magazine.

Layout:                                 Is the front cover very organised or is it very busy? Are there lots of arrows and text boxes or lots of puffs? Does the front cover say ‘You’ or ‘Your’ a lot?

Puff:                                      This is in the shape of a circle or a star and it gives other information about the magazine articles.

Colour Scheme:                What colours are being used? Is it pink? Is it for women or girls?